The Importance of Mentors

I represent a number of creative businesses. Some are small, while other are larger. Some are brand new, while others are established. Some are run by young people fresh out of college or grad school, while others are run by people on their second, third, or even fourth careers. They run the gamut from TV production companies to interior design firms to furniture makers to talent management. It’s safe to say that no two businesses I represent are exactly alike, except in one way. They all need mentors.

I’m a lawyer. A darn good one too. I know a lot, and what I don’t know I’m pretty good at finding out. But I’m not a manager or a business advisor or an accountant. I’m always happy to give non-legal advice to a client when they ask, but I always remind them that my highest and best use is as a lawyer. And if they’re seeking advice on how to juggle their many projects, or how best to invest profit after a particularly good year, or which person to hire, or what to include in a pitch deck, that’s the job of someone who has a lot more experience in those matters than me. 

A good mentor is someone who can provide guidance on all those questions. Someone who’s been where you are now and can advise you how to evade the problems and dangers you’ll face on your business journey. But a good mentor isn’t just someone who can help your business… a good mentor is someone who can help you become a better boss, a better decision maker, a better dealmaker. Maybe even a better person.

So you need a mentor, but how do you find one? Unfortunately, developing a mentor-protege relationship (“mentee” is not a word) is a harder nut to crack. In the old days, you’d start your career by apprenticing with a master in whatever field you were in. Voila! Instant mentor. These days things are less direct, more spread out and disconnected. But it’s still possible to find someone - you just have to know where to look.

Do you belong to a guild or industry group? Start there. If not, join one. If you’re a member of one, join several more. Go to meetings, join committees, get involved in the issues that people in the industry care about. Go to meetups and networking events. If you’re still uncertain about meeting new people in person because of the pandemic (or you’re introverted like me), join an industry Facebook and/or Instagram group. Talk to an old boss or reconnect with an old teacher or professor. Does anyone you went to school with work in the same field? Reach out to them too.

Heck, if you truly can’t find anyone, just Google successful people in your field and cold-call/email them. One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was from someone I just cold-emailed one day when I was starting out in my legal career. A lot of people will ignore you, but eventually someone will respond. Don’t underestimate peoples’ willingness to help, especially once established in their careers.

Even now at 42 and almost ten years into my legal career, I’m repeatedly amazed just how many people are willing to give me their time and attention when I ask nicely. Even when they don’t know me. Even when I’m asking for a lot. 

Developing a mentor-protege relationship will take time. It may take many attempts to find the right one. Just as with any other adult relationship, trust and understanding must be earned. But I promise you, it’s worth it.